Superman (1978 film)

Your name is Kal-El. You are the only survivor of the planet Krypton. Even though you have been raised as a human being, you are not one of them. You have great powers, only some of which you have as yet discovered.

Contents

[voiceover] Can you read my mind? Do you know what it is that you do to me? I don't know who you are. Just a friend from another star. Here I am, like a kid out of school. Holding hands with a god. I'm a fool. Will you look at me? Quivering. Like a little girl, shivering. You can see right through me. Can you read my mind? Can you picture the things I'm thinking of? Wondering why you are... all the wonderful things you are. You can fly. You belong in the sky. You and I... could belong to each other. If you need a friend... I'm the one to fly to. If you need to be loved... here I am. Read my mind.

(answering criticism from the Council leader) My friends, you know me to be neither rash nor impulsive. I'm not given... to wild, unsupported statements. And I tell you we must evacuate this planet immediately!

[As he bids his infant son farewell before sending him to Earth] You will travel far, my little Kal-El. But we will never leave you... even in the face of our deaths... the richness of our lives shall be yours. All that I have, all that I've learned, everything I feel... all this, and more I... I bequeath you, my son. You will carry me inside you... all the days of your life. You will make my strength your own, and see my life through your own eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father, and the father, the son. This is all I ... all I can send you, Kal-El.

Live as one of them, Kal-El, to discover where your strength and your power are needed. Always hold in your heart the pride of your special heritage. They can be a great people, Kal-El; they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son.

[Watching Otis approaching the hideout] It's amazing that brain can generate enough power to keep those legs moving.

If any human being were gonna perpetrate such a fantastic hoax, it would've been me!

This is Lex Luthor. Only one thing alive with less than four legs can hear this frequency, Superman, and that's you. In approximately five minutes, a poison gas pellet containing propane lithium compound will be released through thousands of air ducts in the city, effectively annihilating half the population of Metropolis.

I told you. That's Kryptonite, Superman. Little souvenir from the old home town. I spared no expense to make you feel right at home.

[after he's explained how a meteor from Krypton can kill Superman] Doesn't it give you kind of a, a, a... shudder... of electricity through you to be in the same room with me?

[repeated line] MISS TESCHMACHER!

I have to leave you now. No hard feelings. We all have our little faults. Mine's in California.

[to Otis] Do you know why the number 200 is so vitally descriptive to both you and me? It's your weight and my I.Q.

Some can read War and Peace and come away thinking it's an adventure story. Others can open the wrappers of chewing gum and unlock the secrets of the universe.

You were great in your day, Superman. But it just stands to reason, when it came time to cash in your chips, this old "diseased maniac" would be your banker. Mind over muscle?

There's a strong streak of good in you, Superman. But then nobody's perfect... almost nobody.

[A cat burglar is climbing up the side of a building. He looks up and sees Superman standing there] Hi there. Something wrong with the elevator?

[Superman lands holding a cat burglar] Officer! Uh, good evening, Officer Mooney. Well, they say confession's good for the soul.[takes a handful of stolen jewelry out of the burglar's bag] I'd listen to this man. Take him away.

[After getting "clubbed" on the head by a crowbar by a thief] Bad vibrations?

Lois, Clark Kent may seem like just a mild-mannered reporter, but listen, not only does he know how to treat his editor-in-chief with the proper respect, not only does he have a snappy, punchy prose style, but he is, in my forty years in this business, the fastest typist I've ever seen.

Boy: [opening narration] In the decade of the 1930s, even the great city of Metropolis was not spared the ravages of the worldwide depression. In the times of fear and confusion the job of informing the public was the responsibility of the Daily Planet. A great metropolitan newspaper, whose reputation for clarity and truth had become a symbol of hope for the city of Metropolis.

Miss Teschmacher: Why is it I can't get it on with the good guys?

Desk Sergeant: [on seeing a boat in the middle of the street and Superman flying off] Mooney, first bottle's on me, let me get my hat.

First Elder: [in the "extended" version of the film... following the trial and sentencing of General Zod and "Company"] An unpleasant duty has been masterfully performed, Jor-El. They have received the fate they deserved: isolation in the Phantom Zone, an eternal living death.

Jor-El: This is no fantasy, no careless product of wild imagination. No, my good friends. These indictments that I have brought you today... specific charges listed herein against the individuals, their acts of treason, their ultimate aim of sedition... [reveals his crystal staff] These are matters of undeniable fact. I ask you now to pronounce judgment on those accused. [referring to Non] On this... this mindless aberration, whose only means of expression are wanton violence and destruction. [referring to Ursa] On the woman Ursa, whose perversions and unreasoning hatred of all mankind have threatened even the children of the planet Krypton. [referring to Zod] And finally, General Zod. Once trusted by this Council, charged with maintaining the defense of the planet Krypton itself. Chief architect of this intended revolution and author of this insidious plot to establish a "New Order" amongst us... with himself as absolute ruler. You have heard the evidence. The decision of the Council will now be heard.

General Zod: The vote must be unanimous, Jor-El. It has therefore now become your decision. You alone will condemn us if you wish and you alone will be held responsible by me. Join us. [Jor-El turns away] You have been known to disagree with the Council before. Yours could become an important voice in the new order, second only to my own. I offer you a chance for greatness, Jor-El! Take it! Join us! [Jor-El walks away] You will bow down before me, Jor-El! I swear it! No matter that it takes an eternity! You will bow down before me! Both you... and then, one day, your heirs!

First Elder: An unpleasant duty has been masterly performed, Jor-El. They have received the fate they deserved. Isolation in the Phantom Zone; an eternal living death.

First Elder: Be warned, Jor-El. The Council has already evaluated this outlandish theory of yours.

Jor-El: My friends, you know me to be neither rash nor impulsive. I'm not given to wild unsupported statements. And I tell you that we must evacuate this planet immediately!!

First Elder: Jor-El, you are one of Krypton's greatest scientists.

Second Elder: Ah, yes, but so is Vond-Ah.

Vond-Ah: It isn't that we question your data. The facts are undeniable. It's your conclusions we find unsupportable.

Jor-El: This planet will explode within thirty days... if not sooner.

Vond-Ah: I tell you Krypton is simply shifting its orbit.

Second Elder: Jor-El! Be reasonable! Let Krypton die?! Oh, never, Jor-El! This is just another one of your...mistaken fantasies.

Jor-El: My friend, I have never been otherwise. This madness is yours...to do with as you wish.

First Elder: This discussion is terminated. The decision of the Council is final.

First Elder: Any attempt by you to create a climate of fear and panic among the populace must be deemed by us...an act of insurrection.

Jor-El: You would accuse me of insurrection? Has it now become a crime to cherish life?

First Elder: You would be banished to endless imprisonment in the Phantom Zone...the eternal void which you yourself discovered. Will you abide by the Council's decision?

Jor-El: I will remain silent. Neither I nor my wife will attempt to leave Krypton.

Executor: The energy input to Jor-El's quarters is now in excess. Our data indicates the loss is due to a misuse of energy.

First Elder: Investigate.

Second Elder: And if the investigation proves correct?

First Elder: He knew the penalty he faced... even as a member of this Council. The law will be upheld.

Jonathan Kent: Been showing off a bit, haven't you, son?

Clark Kent: Uh... I didn't mean to show off, Pa. It's just that... well, guys like that Brad, I just wanna tear 'em apart... I know I shouldn't, but...

Jonathan Kent: I know. You can do all these amazing things, and sometimes you think that you will just go bust unless you can tell someone about it.

Clark Kent: Yeah!... I mean, every time I get the ball, I can make a touchdown. Every time! Is it showing off for a person to do what he's capable of? Is a bird showing off when it flies?

Jonathan Kent: No! No, now you listen to me. When you first came to us, we thought that people would come and take you away because if they found out about the things you could do, well that worried us a lot. But then a man gets older and he thinks very differently better, starts to see things very clear. And there's one thing I do know, son. And that is, you are here for a reason. I don't know whose reason it is, or whatever the reason... maybe it's... I don't know.... but I do know one thing: it's not to score touchdowns.

Clark Kent: Thanks Dad. C'mon Dad! I'll race you to it!

Jonathan Kent: You will?

[Both of them run to the barn.]

Clark Kent: C'mon! C'mon!

[Clark runs into the barn with his dog. Jonathan starts having a heart attack.]

Jonathan Kent: Oh, no.

[He collapses. Martha Kent looks over at the barn.]

Martha Kent: Johathan... Jonathan!

[Clark runs out from the barn.]

Clark Kent: Dad...

Young Clark Kent: I have to leave.

Martha Kent: I knew this time would come. We both knew it from the day we found you.

Young Clark Kent: I talked to Ben Hubbard yesterday, and he said... that he'd be happy to help out from now on. (struggling to maintain his composure) Mother...

Martha Kent: I know, son. I know. Do you... know where you're headed?

Young Clark Kent: North.

Martha Kent: Remember us, son. Always remember us.

Jor-El: My son, you do not remember me. I am Jor-El. I am your father. By now, you will have reached your 18th year as it is measured on Earth. By that reckoning, I will have been dead for many thousands of your years. The knowledge that I have, matters physical and historic, I have given you fully on your voyage to your new home. These are important matters, to be sure, but still matters of mere fact. There are questions to be asked, and it is time for you to do so. Here in this...this Fortress of Solitude, we shall try to find the answers together. So, my son, speak.

Clark Kent: Who am I?

Jor-El: Your name is Kal-El. You are the only survivor of the planet Krypton. Even though you have been raised as a human being, you are not one of them. You have great powers, only some of which you have as yet discovered.

Jimmy Olsen: Golly, Miss Lane, how come you get all the best stories?

Lois Lane: A good reporter doesn't get great stories, Jimmy...

[The two enter Perry White's office]

Perry White: [to Clark] ...a good reporter makes them great.

Clark Kent: Excuse me, Mr. White. I was wondering if, if, uh, perhaps you could arrange for half my salary to be sent to this address on a weekly basis.

Lois Lane: Your bookie, right?

Clark Kent: My what?

Lois Lane: Don't tell me. He sends a check every week to his sweet, grey-haired old mother.

Clark Kent: Actually, she's silver-haired.

Perry White: Yeah. I'll see what I can do.

Lois Lane: Any more at home like you?

Clark Kent: Uh, not really, no.

Lois Lane: I didn't think so.

Lois Lane: So, how did you enjoy your first day on the job?

Clark Kent: Frankly, the hours were somewhat longer than I expected, but meeting you and Jimmy and Mr. White on the whole, I think it's just swell.

Lois Lane: "Swell"? You know, Clark, there are very few people left in the world these days who sound comfortable saying that word.

Clark Kent: What word?

Lois Lane: "Swell".

Clark Kent: Really? It just sort of comes naturally to me.

[Clark and Lois are being mugged]

Clark Kent: [points the Mugger's gun away from himself and Lois] Now just a minute, mister. I realize times are tough for some these days, but this isn't the answer. You can't solve society's problems... with a gun.

Mugger: Right after I rip off this lady's purse. Now c'mon, lady. Hand it over.

Clark Kent: Now, Lois, I think you better... [Lois begins to hand the Mugger her purse, but instead drops it] Lois! What are you doing?

[The Mugger bends down to receive Lois' purse, but Lois kicks him in the face causing him to fire the gun. Clark Kent catches the bullet and falls over as the Mugger runs away]

Lois Lane: Clark! Clark, are you okay?

Clark Kent: [wakes up] Golly, I... I guess I might have fainted.

Lois Lane: Fainted? You fainted!

Clark Kent: Sorry. [Lois walks away as Clark tosses the bullet aside] Really, Lois, supposing that man had shot you? Is it worth risking your life over ten dollars, two credit cards, a hairbrush, and a lipstick?

Lois Lane: How did you know that?

Clark Kent: Know what?

Lois Lane: You just described the exact contents of my purse.

Clark Kent: [looks in] Hmm. Wild guess. [runs off] Taxi!

[after Lex caused a cop to get pushed in front of a train]

Miss Teschmacher: Sick! Sick. You're really sick!

Lex Luthor: Sick, Miss Teschmacher? When I'm mere days away from executing the Crime of the Century? How do you choose to congratulate the greatest criminal mind on our time? Do you tell me that I'm brilliant? A bit obvious, that, I grant you. Charismatic, then? Fiendishly gifted?

Miss Teschmacher: [laughs] Try twisted.

[Both laugh as Miss Teschmacher begins to search through a cabinet]

Lex Luthor: Get away from there! Get away from there!

Miss Teschmacher: [closes the drawer] Tell me something Lex, why do so many people have to die for the Crime of the Century?

Lex Luthor: Why? You ask why? Why does the phone always ring when you're in the bathtub? Why is the most brilliantly diabolical leader of our time surrounding himself with total nincompoops?

Otis: [enter] I'm back, Mr. Luthor.

Lex Luthor: Ah yes, Otis, I was just talking about you. You were followed again. [Otis spins around, knocking over a lamp] In spite of those catlike reflexes.

Otis: Mr. Luthor? Mr. Luthor, I'm sorry.

Lex Luthor: Otis, is that the newspaper I asked you to get me?

Otis: [looks at the newspaper] Yeah.

Lex Luthor: Why am I not reading it?

Otis: [thinks for a second] 'Cause I haven't given it to you yet?

Lex Luthor: [smiles] Right. [snatches the newspaper from Otis' hand and reads it] At last it's official! Thanks to the generous help of the United States government, we are about to be involved in the greatest real estate swindle of all time!

Miss Teschmacher: Lex, what is this obsession with real estate? All the time --- land, land, land.

Lex Luthor: Miss Teschmacher, when I was six years old, my father said to me...

Miss Teschmacher: "Get out!"

Lex Luthor: [laughs] Nope. Before that... He said, "Son... Stocks may rise and fall, utilities and transportation systems may collapse, People are no damn good, but they will always need land, and they will pay through the nose to get it. Remember," my father said...

Otis: Land.

Lex Luthor: Right. It's a pity he didn't see how, from such humble beginnings, I've created this empire.

Miss Teschmacher: An empire? This?

Lex Luthor: Miss Teschmacher, how many other girls do you know who are lucky enough to have a Park Avenue address like this one?

Miss Teschmacher: Park Avenue address? 200 feet below?

Lex Luthor: Do you realize what they're all paying per square foot up there for a few miserable rooms off a common elevator? [in unison with Otis] What more could anyone ask?

[Clark changes into Superman in a revolving door]

Pimp: Say, Jim! Whoo!

Superman: Excuse me.

Pimp: That's a bad outfit! [Superman flies off] Whoo!

[Superman flies up, grabbing the falling Lois Lane]

Superman: Easy, miss. I've got you.

Lois Lane: You... you've got me? Who's got you?

[Having rescued Lois Lane from a crashing helicopter and lowers the helicopter on the roof. He gestures to the pilot.]

Superman: Gentlemen, this man needs help! [to Lois] Well, I certainly hope this little incident hasn't put you off flying, miss. Statistically speaking, of course, it's still the safest way to travel.

[Superman prepare to flies away]

Lois Lane: Wait! Who are you?

Superman: A friend. [flies away] Bye.

[Lois waves at Superman and faints]

Little Girl with Cat: [running into her house after Superman leaves] Mommy! Mommy! Frisky was stuck in a tree! A man swooped out of the sky and gave him to me!

Jor-El: Or 24, as it is in Earth time. Your help would be called for endlessly, even for those tasks which human beings could solve themselves, because they're happy to abuse their resources in such a way.

Superman: And secondly?

Jor-El: Second: Your enemies will discover their only way to hurt you by hurting the people you care for.

Superman: Thank you, Father...

Jor-El: Lastly, do not punish yourself for your feelings of vanity. Simply learn to control them. It is an affliction common to all, even on Krypton...[expression changes] Our destruction could have been avoided but for the vanity of some who considered us indestructible. Were it not for vanity, why, at this very moment... I could embrace you in my arms [barely audible]...my son...

[Lex Luthor is swimming in his pool, listening to the TV news about Superman.]

Lex Luthor: Miss Teschmacher! Turn it off.

[Miss Teschmacher, lying under sunlamps, turns off the TV.]

Miss Teschmacher: Lex, what's the story on this guy? Do you think it's the genuine article?

Lex Luthor: If he is, he's not from this world.

Miss Teschmacher: Why?

Lex Luthor: Because, if any human being were going to perpetrate such a fantastic hoax, it would have been me! Otis! My robe!

Otis: Right away, Mr. Luthor!

Lex Luthor: It all fits somehow, his coming here to Metropolis. And at this particular time. There's a kind of cruel justice about it. I mean, to commit the crime of the century, a man naturally wants to face the challenge of the century.

[Lost in his thoughts, Lex stops at the top step of the pool where his feet are still submerged.]

Otis: Listen, Mr. Luthor, maybe this guy that flies is just sort of passing through, you know?

[Otis enters the pool and starts helping Lex on with the robe, but the bottom of it then proceeds to get soaked.]

Lex Luthor: [as Otis helps him putting on his robe] Passing through? Not on your life. Which I would gladly sacrifice, by the way, for the opportunity of destroying everything that he represents. And, Otis, by the way, next time put my robe on AFTER I'm out of the pool.

Perry White: Now, look.

[He throws newspapers down in succession, reading out their headlines.]

Perry White: We're sitting on top of the story of the century here! I want the name of this flying whatchamacallit to go with the Daily Planet like bacon and eggs, franks and beans, death and taxes, politics and corruption.

[Lois remembers what Superman had said to her and realizes that the notes is from him.]

Lois Lane: A friend!

Perry White: Who is he, what's his name, What's he got hidden underneath that cape of his, Batteries? Why did he show up last night, Where does he come from? [to Lois] Does he have a girlfriend? [to Clark] What's his favorite ball team, Kent? Now, listen to me! I tell you boys and girls, whichever one of you gets it out of him . . . is going to wind up with the single most important interview since... God talked to Moses! What are you standing around about for? Move! Get on that story!

[Lois Lane meets Superman at her apartment]

Lois Lane: Eight o'clock, he says eight o'clock. Hm. Some friend.

[She pours herself some wine.]

Lois Lane: Story of my life.

[She sits down.]

Lois Lane: Cinderella bites the dust.

[Superman lands at the edge of her terrace.]

Superman: Good evening, Miss Lane.

Lois Lane: U-Uh . . . hi!

Superman: Oh, I'm sorry. Did you have plans this evening?

Lois Lane: Oh.

Lois Lane: Oh, this old thing . . .

Lois Lane: . . . no.

Superman: Well listen, it's no trouble at all for me to come back later -

Superman: Sorry to, uh, just drop in on you like this, Miss Lane, but I've been thinking. You know, there must be a lot of questions about me that people in the world would like to know the answers to . . .

Lois Lane: Of course. Yes. Uh . . .

[Lois begins to light a cigarette]

Superman: Uh, you really shouldn't smoke, you know, Miss Lane.

Lois Lane: Don't tell me. Lung cancer, right?

[Using his x-ray vision, Superman looks at her lungs.]

Superman: Well. Not yet, thank goodness.

Lois Lane: Um, um, would you like a glass of wine?

Superman: Uh, no, no thanks. I never drink when I fly.

Superman: Nice place.

Lois Lane: Oh, thank you. Thank you. Um . . . should we get started with that interview?

Lex Luthor: Miss Teschmacher, some people can read War and Peace and come away thinking it's a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe.

Miss Teschmacher: Lex, what has chewing gum got to do with the secrets of the universe?

Lex Luthor: 'M' as in Moron, Otis? No, no, no, it's 'N'! 'N' as in Neanderthal, Nincompoop, Nitwit! And 'L' as in Ladder!

[Lex Luthor has torn a page from a magazine from his library]

Miss Teschmacher: [reading the article] A meteorite found in Addis Ababa. I know I'm gonna get rapped in the mouth for this, but so what?

Lex Luthor: So what. You mean, to us, they're just meteorites. Fair enough. But the level of specific radioactivity is so high, to anyone from the planet Krypton, this substance is lethal.

Otis: Wait a minute, Mr. Luthor. You mean, fire and bullets can't hurt this guy, but this stuff here ...

Miss Teschmacher and Otis: [in unison] ... will kill him!

Lex Luthor: Doesn't it give you, like, a shudder of electricity to be in the same room with me?

Miss Teschmacher: Not like the shudder you're gonna get when you try to lay that rock on him. He can see you coming for miles with those super-peepers of his.

Lex Luthor: "Oh, Lord. You gave them eyes, yet they cannot see." Nor can Superman, through lead.

Miss Teschmacher: [understanding] He can't see through lead!

Lex Luthor: And Kryptonite will destroy him. Any questions, class?

Miss Teschmacher: [thinking to herself] I wonder what they're wearing in Addis Ababa?

Otis: [looking at the picture in the article] Looks like a burnoose. [gasps] Are we going to Addis Ababa, Mr. Luthor?

[Lex, in a resigned look, shakes his head, puts his hand to his forehead and closes his eyes.]

Lois Lane: As you know, my newspaper, the Daily Planet, is very interested in that dam, Chief, but what I don't understand is why you would sell out to a faceless person that you've never met. I mean, you don't even know his name.

Indian Chief: At the stupid high price that he offered for this worthless piece of desert, I hope it's Custer!

[Superman breaks down Lex Luthor's door]

Lex Luthor: It's open, come in. My attorney will be in touch with you about the damage to the door. Otis, take the gentleman's cape.

[Otis approaches Superman, who glares at him]

Otis: I don't think he wants me to, Mr. Luthor.

Superman: All right, Luthor. Where's the gas pellet?

Lex Luthor: Somewhere... hidden in the back of my mind, actually. It's a little idea I was toying with.

Superman: Is that how a warped brain like yours gets its kicks? By planning the death of innocent people?

Lex Luthor: No. By causing the death of innocent people.

Lex Luthor: [pointing to a map of California and the San Andreas Fault] Everything west of this line is the richest, most expensive real estate in the world: San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco. Everything on this side of the line is just hundreds and hundreds of miles of worthless desert land, which just so happens to be owned by... [whaps Otis with his pointer]

Otis: Uhhh... Lex Luthor, Incorporated.

Lex Luthor: Now, call me foolish, call me irresponsible, it occurs to me that a 500 megaton bomb planted at just the proper point would, uh...

Superman: Would destroy most of California. Millions of innocent people would be killed. And the West Coast as we know it would-

Lex Luthor: Fall into the sea. Bye-bye, California. Hello, new West Coast. My West Coast.

It was Tom Mankiewicz. I had known him since he graduated Yale as an “intellectual writer” who found himself writing James Bond [with his scripts for the 1970s films “Diamonds Are Forever,” “Live and Let Die” and “The Man with the Golden Gun“] but always wanted to write something that was going to change the world. When we read what we had and we got permission for rewrite, I approached Tom and told him I was looking for two things: One, we have to convince the audience that a guy can really fly; the other is that this has to be a love story. The minute he heard that, he cottoned to it and decided to make the movie. I have a little cutout of Superman, it shows him flying in the cloud, and he was dragging a word on his cape: Verisimilitude. It came from Tom. We wanted to do this — and it’s a comic book, but it had to have its own sense of reality. You don’t parody it. That was the most important decision.